Children: Access

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to ensure that non-resident parents who are responsible for the support of their children have proper access to, and contact with, their children.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Where parents cannot reach their own agreements, they may apply to court for a contact order. In reaching a decision, the court is required to prioritise the welfare of the child.
	A review of the whole of the family justice system is currently under way. The review panel, which is independently chaired, issued its interim report for consultation on 31 March. The panel's final report is expected in the autumn. Once the review has concluded, the Government will consider the recommendations carefully including any recommendations about how parental disputes should be handled.

Criminal Justice Act 2003

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will amend Section 329 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in response to the observations of the Court of Appeal in Adorian v Commissioner of Police [2009] EWCA Civ 18, so that members of the police service may not take advantage of the immunity from suit in that section as defendants in civil proceedings for assault in the course of an arrest.

Lord McNally: This question raises important issues relating to the role and powers of the police, and the Government will give it further consideration.

Cyprus: British High Commission

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government how duties and responsibilities are shared between the United Kingdom embassy in Athens and the British High Commission (BHC) in Nicosia; whether there is a parallel arrangement between the BHC and the British embassy in Ankara; and, if not, whether that delivers equality in diplomatic support to British citizens domiciled in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Athens and our High Commission in Nicosia are responsible for representing the British Government in Greece and Cyprus respectively. Each has a professional and experienced consular team offering support to British nationals visiting or resident within their consular district. Both teams are managed by a regional consul based in Athens, in line with consular management arrangements elsewhere in the world.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publication Support for British nationals abroad: A guide (available on the FCO website at http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad) sets out the support we can provide to British nationals around the world. Although the UK does not recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, British citizens in Cyprus receive this support from consular staff at the High Commission in Nicosia irrespective of where they reside on the island. Our consular staff in Turkey offer support to British nationals visiting or resident within Turkey and are not responsible for assistance to British nationals resident in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Diplomatic Missions: State Recognition

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 April (HL8410), in what circumstances human rights considerations are not necessarily criteria for recognition of a state.

Lord Howell of Guildford: My Written Answer of 2 February (Official Report, col. WA 266) set out the criteria for recognition of states. This is separate from the question of compliance with international human rights obligations, which the Government expect from all states.

Driving: Mobile Phones

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to make the holding but not the use of a mobile telephone while driving an offence.

Earl Attlee: A person is guilty of an offence under Section 41 D(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 if they drive a motor vehicle whilst using a hand-held mobile phone telephone.
	It is also an offence under Section 41 D(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to drive a motor vehicle in a position that does not give proper control or has a full view of the traffic ahead.
	We have no plans to amend these provisions but we are committed to ensuring that all regulations remain effective. The enforcement of such regulations is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

Education: English Baccalaureate

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether students who have special educational needs, health or social problems, or are carers, can complete the English Baccalaureate after the age of 16.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The English Baccalaureate is not a qualification in its own right. It is recognition of the achievement of a combination of GCSEs, or accredited versions of iGCSEs, in core subjects. The individual qualifications include arrangements for taking account of special circumstances in the awarding of grades. All candidates are able to continue to take the qualifications after the age of 16.
	We intend in due course to issue certificates to recognise where students have achieved the English Baccalaureate. We are currently considering the mechanism for doing so and whether it will be feasible to issue certificates to those who achieve the combination of subjects after the age of 16.

EU: Republic of Cyprus

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision to admit the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004 in the light of recent reports about the role played by Greece in making the decision; what impact this will have on the suitability of the Republic of Cyprus to take on the presidency of the EU in 2012; and whether they will publish relevant papers.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are not aware of any such reports and see no connection between the preparations that the Republic of Cyprus are currently making to take on the presidency of the European Union in 2012, and their accession to the EU in 2004.

Falkland Islands: Queen's Birthday Celebrations

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they transported a military band to the Falkland Islands to celebrate the Queen's birthday on 21 April after their musical instruments were removed before take-off; what contribution the band was able to make to the celebrations without any instruments; and what were the costs of such personnel transport to and from the United Kingdom.

Lord Astor of Hever: Members of the military band of the 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment travelled to the Falkland Islands on 16 April. The band's instruments were classified as freight rather than passenger hold baggage and in error were not loaded on to the flight, the hold of which was full to capacity with other essential freight. The next flight to the Falkland Islands did not depart until 23 April, so the personnel were unable to participate as planned in the Queen's Birthday Parade. Instead they undertook a programme of familiarisation and training with British Forces South Atlantic Islands. The personnel travelled using spare capacity on the Ministry of Defence's South Atlantic Airbridge. This represented no extra cost to the department, other than the air passenger duty for the band's seats which amounted to a maximum of £2,040.

Female Genital Mutilation

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage the Government of Kenya to outlaw female genital mutilation following recent protests by young women in Kenya against this practice.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is committed to tackling female genital mutilation (FGM), which is a very serious problem in some parts of the world. In November 2010, we worked with civil society partners to develop an ambitious cross-government action plan for tackling FGM that aims to raise awareness of the issue, its illegality, and its severe health consequences, to ensure that professionals intervene to safeguard girls and women at risk.
	In Kenya FGM is already outlawed under the Children Act of 2002. Under the new constitution, a Bill has recently been tabled and is currently under debate in the House to strengthen the existing laws and make prosecution for FGM under this act easier. The UK fully supports this process and is committed to raising human rights issues, including FGM where appropriate, as part of its ongoing dialogue with the Government of Kenya.

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel; and what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel to prevent further violence.

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in his Statement of 25 March 2011 our concerns about the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel following a spike in rocket attacks and military strikes in early April 2011. We are pleased that relative calm has returned to Gaza and southern Israel more recently, but continue to monitor the situation closely.
	We have made clear to the Government of Israel that while Israel has every right to protect its people, it is also important that in so doing that it also shows restraint and makes every effort to avoid causing civilian casualties.
	We continue to call on all parties to act with restraint and do all they can to prevent loss of innocent life, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to reduce current tensions. We renew our calls on all sides to commit to peace talks.

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of organisations in Gaza that subscribe to Salafist-influenced Islamic ideology.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware that there are clearly other extremist groups present in Gaza in addition to Hamas, including those involved in rocket attacks against Israel. We have underlined the need for all groups, including Hamas, to end rocket attacks on Israel.

Government Departments: e-mails

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance private office staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office receive about managing e-mail correspondence from parliamentarians to Ministers; and what evidence they have that this is being adhered to.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Email correspondence from parliamentarians to Ministers is treated in the same manner as other written correspondence, such as letters or faxes. They are all given ministerial responses within the time frame laid down by the Cabinet Office. In 2010, 90 per cent of ministerial correspondence was answered within the time frame of 20 days.

Human Rights

Lord Boswell of Aynho: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made, in conjunction with the United Kingdom national human rights institutions, in compiling a measurement framework of standard indicators of performance in this area.

Lord McNally: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in partnership with the Scottish Human Rights Commission, is currently developing a human rights measurement framework in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, and the Government, which will be published during 2011.
	The EHRC, working with the Government and other stakeholders, has also developed an equality measurement framework that can be used to assess equality and human rights across a range of areas.

Israel and Palestine: Quartet

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the United Kingdom contribution to the office costs and travel expenses of (a) the Office of the Middle East quartet representative, and (b) Mr Tony Blair himself as Middle East quartet representative, in each year since 2007.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Since 2007 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has seconded three members of staff to work in the Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR).
	However, we do not hold information on office costs and travel expenses of the OQR or the right honourable Tony Blair as the quartet representative.
	The noble Lord may wish to contact the OQR.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Israel's handling of non-violent protests in Bil'in in the West Bank.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We support Palestinians' legitimate right to non-violent protest against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. We also support Israel's right to defend itself. However, we are concerned by reports of disproportionate force in response to demonstrations. We continue to call upon the Israeli Government to act with restraint and in accordance with international law.

Kosovo

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the situation in Kosovo.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government fully support an independent Kosovo within its current borders and we urge all countries to recognise Kosovo's independence. We are encouraged that 75 countries have already done so.
	We are pleased that the Government of Kosovo have made a commitment to reviewing the need for electoral and constitutional reform. With the election of a new President, Atifete Jahjaga, in accordance with constitutional requirements, Kosovo's Government are now able to focus on the business of governing and in particular on taking forward the socio-economic reforms needed for Kosovo's continuing integration into the international community.
	We continue to support the Kosovo Government in their effort to make progress towards fulfilling Kosovo's European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the entire western Balkans region. This includes taking forward the reforms recommended in the European Commission's 2010 progress report on Kosovo, and in particular in the priority areas of rule of law and organised crime.
	The Government welcome the positive start to the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. Continued constructive engagement will be crucial for improving the lives of citizens of both countries and for helping both Kosovo and Serbia progress in a more stable manner towards EU accession.
	We also welcome the decision by the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to open a preliminary investigation into the allegations of organised crime contained in the report by Senator Dick Marty, and that the Governments of both Kosovo and Albania have promised full co-operation with the investigation.

Law Commission

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the rates of implementation of Law Commission reports has improved, as envisaged by the protocol between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission of March 2010.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the impact of reductions in public expenditure upon the budget and staffing of the Law Commission.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of Law Commission proposals, published on 24 January, when they intend to respond to the Law Commission's report on the termination of tenancies (LC 303) (31 October 2006).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of Law Commission proposals, published on 24 January, when they intend to respond to the Law Commission's report on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown (LC 307) (31 July 2007), taking into account the research on the impact of the Family (Scotland) Act 2006.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of Law Commission proposals, published on 24 January, when they intend to respond to the Law Commission's report on intoxication and criminal liability (LC 314) (5 January 2009).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of Law Commission proposals, published on 24 January, when they intend to respond to the report of the Law Commission on conspiracy and attempts (LC 318) (10 December 2009).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of Law Commission proposals, published on 24 January, when they intend to respond to the report of the Law Commission on the illegality defence (LC 320) (17 March 2010).

Lord McNally: The protocol, which was agreed between the Government and the Law Commission in March 2010, aims to ensure that government departments are fully signed up to projects that the Law Commission undertakes and that there are prompt and open communications between departments and the commission during the course of the project. The intention behind this was to ensure full departmental commitment to Law Commission projects, thereby increasing the rate of implementation of Law Commission reports and ensuring a more productive relationship. While we are confident that the protocol will increase the rate of implementation of future Law Commission work, its full impact has not yet been felt because it applies only to projects which the Law Commission takes on after March 2010. There is only one project-European contract law-which formally falls under the terms of the protocol. The Government and the commission have, however, agreed to take the protocol into account in respect of ongoing projects in so far as it is practicable.
	The Law Commission is currently in the process of developing its next programme of work and aims to put this to the Lord Chancellor (as prescribed by the Law Commissions Act 1965) for approval shortly. This will be the first programme agreed in light of the protocol and we expect that increased rates of implementation will become more apparent towards the end of this programme of work.
	Five of the Law Commission's reports were implemented or the relevant legislation achieved Royal Assent during the period to which the report to Parliament relates. We also expect to take forward a further two Law Commission reports when parliamentary time allows-namely the reports on consumer insurance law; pre-contract disclosure and misrepresentation and capital and income in trusts; classification and apportionment.
	In terms of the impact of the reductions in public expenditure on the Law Commission, the Government have informed the Law Commission that it must reduce its budget by 33 per cent by the end of this Parliament. While we accept that this will be difficult for the Law Commission, we are having to take very difficult decisions across the board in order to deal effectively with the budget deficit and this figure is consistent with what is being applied to administrative budgets generally. We are also of the view that this reduction can be mitigated by financial contributions from departments for projects carried out in their policy areas.
	As for when the Government intend to respond to the Law Commission on a number of their reports:
	The Government have considered the Law Commission's reports on the termination of tenancies and the illegality defence and are currently in discussion with the Law Commission with respect to these reports. We hope to communicate our position on both reports shortly.
	The Government are still considering the implementation of the Law Commission's report, Cohabitation: The Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown. We hope to be able to respond to the Law Commission shortly.
	The Lord Chancellor wrote to the chairman of the Law Commission in February to communicate the Government's decisions in respect of the reports on intoxication and criminal liability and on conspiracy and attempts.
	The Government are minded not to implement the proposals contained in the Law Commission's report on intoxication and criminal liability, as we are not persuaded that implementation of the report would deliver improvements to the administration of justice. Whilst the reforms recommended by the Law Commission may resolve some uncertainty in the law they may also increase its complexity.
	We have also decided not to implement the Law Commission's report on conspiracy and attempts. The Government accept the proposals contained within this report and think that it is a worthwhile project for the future. However we regret that implementation is not a priority in the shorter term given the pressure on departmental resources.

Libya

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Strathclyde on 21 March (Official Report, col. 468), how they are working with other European Union member states to meet the needs of displaced people, refugees and the de facto stateless in Libya and north Africa.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We remain in close contact and co-ordinate our efforts with our EU partners over displaced persons in Libya and around its borders. The UK has funded the repatriation of over 15,000 foreign migrant workers from Libya. We continue to work closely with the UN High Commission for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration and the International Committee of the Red Cross in addressing these problems. The Department for International Development has humanitarian advisers at the border camps who are monitoring the situation closely.

Libya

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Strathclyde on 21 March (Official Report, col. 468), how they will ensure that any solution to the crisis in Libya is not externally imposed but belongs to the Libyan people; and what action they are taking to ensure inclusive participation in the preparation of any solution.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Libyan people have clearly indicated their desire for change. The form that any new political settlement takes is for them to determine for themselves, not for outsiders to impose. The Interim Transitional National Council, which we consider a legitimate interlocutor representing the aspirations of the Libyan people, has committed itself to inclusive and democratic principles and to a more accountable Government in Libya. We support their efforts to prepare for a Government in Libya who embody these principles.

Montenegro

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Montenegro about discrimination in relation to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government fully support equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Montenegro, as it does worldwide.
	Our ambassador to Podgorica regularly engages with her Montenegrin interlocutors to underline that respect for human rights and minority rights, including those of the LGBT community, is fundamental to the EU accession process.
	The Government support and actively encourage the Montenegrin Government to implement reforms that are necessary for progress towards EU accession, in line with the acquis. These reforms include the implementation of the legal and policy frameworks on human rights and anti-discrimination in line with European and international standards.
	We will continue to work on these issues and hope to see further progress from Montenegro with regards to LGBT issues, starting with its first Gay Pride march to be held on 31 May.

Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government how recent developments between Hamas and Fatah will affect their policy in the Middle East.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We renew our calls on both sides to commit to peace talks, leading to a Palestinian state that exists in peace and security alongside Israel. Britain hopes that the announcement of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas will lead to the formation of a Government who reject violence and pursues a negotiated peace, and we will judge a future Palestinian Government by their actions and their readiness to work for peace.
	Intra-Palestinian reconciliation remains a critical component of the peace process. We are of course examining the detail of the recent announcement.

Panama

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other British airlines about the possibility of a direct air link between Panama and the United Kingdom; and what was the outcome.

Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport has no record of any such discussions.

Republic of Ireland: Celebrations

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 April (WA 144), how they ascertained that the celebration of the murder of police officers at Glenwood in County Clare was a local initiative arranged by the local community; and whether an Irish Cabinet Minister attended.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Dublin contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs to ask if there was any government support for the event. It confirmed that this was a local initiative arranged by the local community. Press coverage at the time reported that the then Irish Minister for Defence attended the event in his constituency.

Schools

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many grant-maintained schools, city technology colleges, academies, trust schools and free schools were established in each year from 1988 to April 2011.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The following tables show the current designation of schools, the designation at the time of opening is not held. The grant maintained designation type of schools was abolished in September 1999 and with the exception of academies and city technology colleges, schools returned to the categories listed below. There are no types of establishment listed on Edubase as trust schools; however there are state-maintained schools, included in the tables below who may have acquired a trust. The first free schools are not due to open until September 2011.
	
		
			  Year Established 
			 Type of Establishment 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
			 Academy Converters  
			 Academy Sponsor Led  
			 City Technology College 1 1 1 6 3 1
			 Community School 2 1 2 40 109 58 66 99 93 
			 Community Special School   1   2  5 15 15 10 11 18 
			 Foundation School1 2 2   3 9 5 10 6 
			 Foundation Special School  
			 LA Nursery School 1  2 1 1  2 1 2 
			 Non-Maintained Special School  
			 Voluntary Aided School   1  1   8 15 15 11 20 18 
			 Academy Converters1 11 5 4 4 7 
			 Grand Total 1 1 3 7 9 6 4 55 154 102 98 145 144 
		
	
	
		
			  Year Established 
			 Type of Establishment 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Academy Converters  94 263 
			 Academy Sponsor Led  3 9 5 10 19 37 47 70 67 6 
			 City Technology College
			 Community School 112 85 87 92 76 86 117 67 42 36 5 
			 Community Special School 17 7 10 13 24 22 9 14 6 8  
			 Foundation School 6 5 2 4 9 7 9 4 7 8  
			 Foundation Special School 1  1   1  1
			 LA Nursery School 3 2 1  3 1  2
			 Non-Maintained Special School 2 10 1 4   1 1 2   
			 Voluntary Aided School 25 19 17 23 21 15 15 9 8 14 4 
			 Voluntary Controlled School 10 6 11 5 12 11 21 9 8 8  
			 Grand Total 176 137 139 146 155 162 209 154 143 235 278

Schools: Free Meals

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children in London received free school meals in the years 2000 to 2010.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Information on the number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in London for 2002-10 is shown in the table. The answer includes full time pupils aged 0 to 15 and part time pupils aged 5 to 15.
	Comparable information is not available prior to 2002.
	
		
			 (Maintained Nursery, Primary (1) State Funded Secondary (1)(2) and Special Schools (3): London number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(4) 
			 January each year 
			  London 
			  Maintained nursery and primary schools (1)   State-funded secondary schools (1)(2)   Special schools (3)   Maintained nursery, primary (1), state-funded secondary (1)(2) and special schools (3)   
			  Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			 2002 582,760 160,710 27.6 366,990 95,760 26.1 10,630 4.860 45.7 960,390 261,340 27.2 
			 2003 580,980 161,050 27.7 371,280 95,720 25.8 10,870 4,840 44.5 963,130 261,610 27.2 
			 2004 577,380 165,540 28.7 375,890 97,850 26.0 10,720 4,800 44.7 963,990 268,190 27.8 
			 2005 576.910 166,400 28.8 376,480 98,450 26.1 10,570 4,640 43.9 963,950 269,480 28.0 
			 2006 580,810 159,740 27.5 377,930 96,590 25.6 10,470 4,450 42.5 969,200 260,780 26.9 
			 2007 580,720 158,100 27.2 377,490 94,670 25.1 10,320 4,380 42.4 968,530 257,140 26.5 
			 2008 581,820 152,760 26.3 377,160 92,610 24.6 10,250 4,280 41.8 969,220 249,650 25.8 
			 2009 585,520 150,260 25.7 377,590 93,720 24.8 10,280 4,250 41.4 973,400 248,230 25.5 
			 2010 594.490 156,260 26.3 379.710 95,920 25.3 10,440 4,460 42.7 984,640 256,640 26.1 
			  England 
			  Maintained nursery and primary schools (1)   State-funded secondary schools (1)(2)   Special schools (3)   Maintained nursery, primary (1), state-funded secondary (1)(2) and special schools(3)   
			  Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals Number on roll (4)(5) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (4)(5) Percentage known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			 2002 4,064,900 741,500 18.2 2,953,660 469,760 15.9 77,790 30,300 39.0 7,096,340 1,241,560 17.5 
			 2003 4,023,390 719,430 17.9 2,992,630 463,600 15.5 84,240 30,610 36.3 7,100,270 1,213,640 17.1 
			 2004 3,977,530 730,420 18.4 3,010,100 464,420 15.4 81,830 30,250 37.0 7,069,450 1,225,090 17.3 
			 2005 3,939.760 708,250 18.0 2,993,920 453,390 15.1 80,240 27,950 34.8 7,013,920 1,189,590 17.0 
			 2006 3,899,450 664,980 17.1 2,985,900 439,120 14.7 79,310 26,690 33.7 6,964,660 1,130,790 16.2 
			 2007 3,860,420 654,290 16.9 2,955,210 425,110 14.4 78,760 26,290 33.4 6,894,390 1,105,690 16.0 
			 2008 3,837,680 637,170 16.6 2,913,730 413,360 14.2 78,270 25,710 32.8 6,829,670 1,076,240 15.8 
			 2009 3,825,480 652,310 17.1 2,883,250 417,970 14.5 78,030 26,250 33.6 6,786,750 1,096,520 16.2 
			 2010 3.838,680 711,410 18.5 2,864,350 441,140 15.4 78,330 27,330 34.9 6,781,360 1,179,870 17.4 
		
	
	Source: School Census
	(1) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(2) Includes city technology colleges and academies.
	(3) Includes maintained and non maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools.
	(4) Includes sole and dual (main) registrations.
	(5) Includes pupils who have full time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between 5 and 15 (age as at 31 August).
	Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Schools: Independent Schools

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many for-profit schools have been established in each of the years 1997 to 2011.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The department does not collect information as to which independent schools are established and operated on a for-profit basis. It does collect information about those independent schools that do not have charitable status, and this information is shown in the table:
	
		
			 Opened Still open Now closed Total 
			 1997 16 12 28 
			 1998 6 14 20 
			 1999 19 22 41 
			 2000 15 28 43 
			 2001 27 15 42 
			 2002 12 15 27 
			 2003 36 51 87 
			 2004 22 11 33 
			 2005 42 20 62 
			 2006 70 27 97 
			 2007 72 24 96 
			 2008 65 12 77 
			 2009 69 7 76 
			 2010 69 2 71 
			 2011 10 0 10 
		
	
	Note: The number shown for 2011 is for the period to 5 May; the majority of schools open in the latter half of each calendar year.

Schools: Music

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage primary schools to provide pupils with access to ukulele teaching.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The Government are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and to sing as part of a rich cultural education. They have allocated £82.5 million to music education in 2011-12 and will set out their detailed plans in a national plan for music education later this year. It is for a school to decide, in conjunction with instrumental experts, which instruments are most appropriate for its pupils.

Schools: Performance

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government which categories of schools in the United Kingdom performed best and worst according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development economic survey 2011.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The OECD Economic Survey of the United Kingdom 2011 used data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009.
	The only school categories it is possible to report on are independent and state schools. In England, independent schools formed 7 per cent of the PISA sample and state schools 93 per cent. Independent schools had, on average, higher scores than state schools.
	
		
			  State Independent Difference 
			 Reading 492 551 59 
			 Maths 491 543 52 
			 Science 511 581 70

Sri Lanka

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations have they made, and to whom, following the publication of the United Nations report into war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We consistently encouraged the Sri Lankan Government to work with the UN Panel and draw on the UN's knowledge to enhance their own domestic process prior to the report issuing. Since its public release, staff at our High Commission in Colombo have discussed the report with the Government of Sri Lanka on several occasions, most recently on 6 May 2011 with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. We have urged the Government to respond constructively to the report. We are also in contact with other international partners about the report.

Syria

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the continuing violence in Syria and the plea of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Government of Syria to stop killing its own people, whether they will call for a United Nations Security Council debate on the situation.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK, together with France, Germany and Portugal worked together to raise the situation in Syria at the United National Security Council (UNSC). The discussion on 27 April led to a broad condemnation of Syrian behaviour by a wide range of UNSC members, who expressed their grave concern at the situation in an unprecedented open council meeting.
	In addition, the UN Human Rights Council passed a strong resolution on 29 April condemning Syria's conduct and launching a fact finding mission to investigate human rights abuses. The UK actively supported this resolution, tabled by the US, which was passed by a clear majority of Human Rights Council members.
	We will continue to work with our UN, EU and other international partners in an attempt to persuade the Syrian authorities to stop the violent repression and respect democracy and human rights. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said on 1 April, clearly in Syria we need to do more to step up the pressure on that regime to show, internationally, that this violent repression is not acceptable.

Syria

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comments by the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website regarding the violence in Syria, whether they intend to undertake diplomatic or military intervention, with international partners or unilaterally, to prevent further violence and loss of life.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK, together with France, Germany and Portugal worked together to raise the situation in Syria at the United National Security Council (UNSC). The discussion on 27 April led to a broad condemnation of Syrian behaviour by a wide range of UNSC members who expressed their grave concern at the situation in an unprecedented open council meeting.
	We also actively supported a strong, US-tabled resolution which the UN Human Rights Council passed on 29 April condemning Syria's conduct and launching a fact-finding mission to investigate human rights abuses.
	The UK has worked closely with EU and other international partners to press the Syrian authorities to stop the violence and respect basic and universal human rights to the freedoms of expression and assembly. In collaboration with selected European partners, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service summoned the Syrian ambassador in London on 27 April to set out UK concerns and the need for an end to violence and the implementation of genuine reform. The EU also decided on 29 April to implement an arms embargo against Syria, to take the offer of an association agreement off the table and to review all EU co-operation with Syria, including through the European Neighbourhood Partnership. The UK pressed strongly for these steps.
	We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those responsible for the violence are held personally to account. In this context, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) welcomed the EU's decision on 29 April to accelerate work on targeted measures against those responsible.

Syria

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are consulting the Governments of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey over the situation in Syria and its possible impact on neighbouring countries.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK has been in regular discussion with our partners in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey regarding the situation in Syria and its possible impact on neighbouring countries. In all our discussions we have been stressing the need for the Syrian authorities to stop using violence and respect basic and universal human rights. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) said on 26 April, the only path to stability is through serious reforms, genuinely and speedily implemented, to address the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters.

Syria

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the meeting of United States Senator John Kerry with President Bashar al-Assad, the United Kingdom will consult American colleagues about how to end the violence in Syria.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is working closely with the US, the EU and other international partners to press the Syrian authorities to stop the violence and respect basic and universal human rights to freedoms of expression and assembly.
	The UK actively supported a strong US-tabled resolution that the UN Human Rights Council passed on 29 April 2011 condemning Syria's conduct and launching a fact finding mission to investigate human rights abuses. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said on 1 April, clearly in Syria we need to do more to step up the pressure on that regime to show, internationally, that this violent repression is not acceptable.

Syria

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is any intention to deploy a stabilisation response team, as is envisaged in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, to Syria at an appropriate time.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: At present the Government have no plans to deploy a stabilisation response team to Syria. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Yemen

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the situation in Yemen.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We remain concerned about the continuing political impasse in Yemen, the use of violence to disperse peaceful protestors, and the increasingly destabilising effect that events are having on a very fragile economy. Over 120 protestors have been killed and hundreds injured since demonstrations began in January and further violence risks escalating the situation beyond the control of the Government. The President still has the opportunity to follow a peaceful route to political transition. We, along with our EU and US partners, firmly believe that the political transition plan brokered by the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) represents the best route to a peaceful solution. The current GCC plan incorporates a road map for the formation of a national unity Government, resignation of the President in favour of the Vice-President, constitutional change and presidential elections. I urge all parties to work closely with the GCC and to pursue negotiations to reach a settlement without further delay.

Young Offenders: Education and Training

Baroness Sharp of Guildford: To ask Her Majesty's Government which organisation will be responsible for managing the contracts that govern the delivery of education and training to people in young offenders' institutions following the abolition of the Young People's Learning Agency; and whether they plan to issue a public consultation on any changes in this regard.

Lord McNally: We are considering options for arrangements for the funding and commissioning of education in youth custody, in the context of changes taking place in mainstream education and wider considerations about the future of the youth secure estate. Our aim is to design a system that is flexible enough to meet the learning needs of the young people, account for the complexities of delivering education in a custodial setting, and reflect arrangements in the mainstream as far as appropriate. We will consider carrying out a public consultation if appropriate.

Zimbabwe

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide aid to assist in improving good governance and democratic oversight of Zimbabwe's armed forces following the elections.

Baroness Verma: We recognise that robust civilian oversight of the armed forces, and indeed that the whole security and justice sector is an important component of a well functioning democracy. We also recognise that any international assistance must be requested and owned by the Zimbabwean Government. We stand ready to consider any requests for such assistance.

Zimbabwe

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning persecution of Gertrude Hambira.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are deeply concerned by the arrests and treatment of a range of individuals in Zimbabwe, including civil society activists. Officials in Harare regularly attend and monitor court cases. They also have close contact with non-government organisations and civil society organisations throughout Zimbabwe.
	We call regularly, both bilaterally and with EU member states, for an end to all such abuses and the restoration of internationally accepted human rights standards in Zimbabwe. Our ambassador issued a statement on 25 March 2011 calling for the culture of impunity and state-sponsored abuses to be addressed.